The English Ivy House Plant: Hedera Helix

English used, NASA approved!

During the late 1980’s, NASA began studying houseplants as a way to filter air for space stations. What they found is that many different common houseplants do an incredible job of purifying our air space.

The plants are able to filter out certain harmful chemicals and are a cheap way to strain out the crap that’s certainly circulating through your nostrils. The English ivy house plant is great for those who have pets as it can literally filter out fecal matter from the air!

It’s also able to absorb formaldehyde which is commonly found in some household cleaning products, makeup, lotions and more. Studies have shown that it can give you better focus as it can absorb trace amounts of benzene which is a chemical commonly found in office equipment.

Scenic

Picture your favorite British movie with a scenic shot of a cottage amid the rolling scenery of the countryside, zoom in on the house and you’ll notice those lovely vines crawling about, making the whole scene a romantic vision. Thank you, English Ivy!

You too can have idyllic scenery and a home filled with crawling vines. It can be grown outdoors or indoors, but it is more easily sustained inside.

How to Care for English Ivy

Lighting: Provide the English ivy with medium to bright filtered light, especially in the beginning to help create a good root system. South facing windows provide the best chance of survival. In the summer make sure the leaves don’t burn. Ivy also responds well to artificial lighting conditions, like in your home or office. Place the plant 6 to 10″ from the bulb.

Water: Water so the soil is evenly moist, but not soggy. In the winter you will need to water less.

Soil: Plant ivy in a rich all-purpose potting soil and make sure the pot you use has adequate drainage.

Temperature: Keep in a cool and moist environment with no drafts. If you are lacking humidity, place the pot on pebbles in a shallow tray filled with water. During the winter months it’s a good idea to mist the leaves to keep them from drying out.

Fertilizer: Fertilize the plants monthly during the growing season (spring and summer) with a fertilizer intended for foliage plants.

Propagation: Good news! You can propagate the English Ivy, making lots of little baby English Ivy’s pretty easily. Watch the video below to learn more.

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After finishing her masters degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Michelle wanted to share her love of plants and all things medicinal. With her knowledge of Chinese herbs and household plants, she decided to create a site sharing her love of indoor plants.